With the physician assistant (PA) field continuing to expand and PAs becoming more integral to healthcare, it’s important for PAs to be aware of all the opportunities available to them and how they can maximize their impact. One of the options that is gaining attention is the DMSc degree.
In this article, I’ll be going over all you need to know about the DMSc degree. At the end, I’ll be giving you my thoughts on whether getting a DMSc is worth it, as well as potential future implications of having this degree that you might not have thought of. Let’s dive into it! 😀
Table of Contents
What Is a DMSc Degree?
A Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree is an academic doctorate degree in healthcare science that is only available to physician assistants. (You may also see this degree abbreviated as “DMS,” “DScPAS,” or “DPA.”) Building on previous education and training, DMSc programs provide PAs with new medical knowledge and skills that have real-life applications in healthcare. Curriculums include advanced courses on a variety of healthcare topics, interprofessional collaboration, and scholarly projects.
For a better idea, take a look at this list of the most common topics covered in DMSc programs:
- Healthcare leadership & administration
- Advanced clinical practice
- Clinical experience in a specialty
- Professional education
- Public health
- Global health
- Theory and application
- Ethical and legal implications
- Pharmacology
- Research & development
A DMSc degree is not required to become a PA. However, a PA may choose to pursue a DMSc degree after they become licensed and start practicing as the next step in their career. A DMSc degree can be seen as the “ultimate” degree for physician assistants.
What Can You Do with a DMSc Degree?
The majority of a PA’s work is rooted in clinical practice, and many PAs will be clinicians for the entirety of their careers. Lots of PAs are perfectly satisfied with clinical work, since seeing and treating patients is the work they want to be doing. However, some PAs may desire to further their careers in other ways, and obtaining a DMSc is a great way to do so.
Having a DMSc degree can greatly expand the professional opportunities available to any PA seeking to play a greater role in the healthcare system. PAs are able to take on new challenging positions – both clinical and nonclinical –and work collaboratively with a greater diversity of medical professionals in the industry.
Typically, a PA chooses a specific path within a DMSc program, based on their specific goals. The top three most common tracks offered to PAs pursuing a DMSc degree are clinical, academic, and administrative. Depending on the track you choose, you’ll either gain a deeper understanding of clinical practice/a particular specialty or obtain knowledge that will allow you to expand into adjacent professional fields.
Here are the top examples of what you can do with a DMSc degree:
| Area | Application | Impact/Role |
| Clinical Practice | Increase scope of practice (e.g. primary care, procedures) Gain clinical experience in a desired specialty (e.g. psychiatry) | Advanced clinician Specialist |
| Health Professions Education | Teach future healthcare providers (e.g. PA students, medical students, medical residents) | Faculty instructor |
| Clinical Management | Apply knowledge of business operation, financial management, strategy, and best practices in a healthcare setting | Office manager Head/lead/chief PA of a department or company |
| Health System Administration | Become a department chairBecome a C-suite executive | Healthcare administrator |
| Community Health | Examine the dynamics of different healthcare settings Understand relationships with pharmaceutical companies and healthcare agencies | Come up with practical solutions to increase healthcare access in underserved populations |
| Global Health | Study disaster preparedness and management for global health systems | Collaborate with global health & international healthcare organizations |
| Research | Conduct & publish research | Researcher |
| Other Careers | Pursue a related career path | Consultant Medical science liaison Practice owner* |
| PA Leadership | Become a PA leader at the state or national level Be an advocate for the PA profession | PAEA, NCCPA, or ARC-PA PA leadership position |
If any of the above opportunities interest you, then you should consider getting a DMSc degree. The main purpose of getting a DMSc is to become a scholar-practitioner where you use a doctorate-level education to implement practical solutions in various healthcare settings. You can affect outcomes and have a greater influence on the delivery and quality of patient care at the patient, management, community, and global levels.
Differences Between DMSc and Other Doctorate Degrees
Q: What’s the Difference Between a DMSc Degree and a DHSc Degree?
A: The difference between a DMSc (Doctor of Medical Science) and DHSc (Doctor of Health Science) degree is that a DMSc is solely for physician assistants, while a DHSc is for other healthcare professionals (e.g. physician, nurse) or healthcare managers/administrators. Both DMSc and DHSc degrees cover comparable material.
Q: What’s the Difference Between a DMSc and a PhD?
A: DMSc programs focus largely on clinical practice and practical applications, while PhD programs place a greater emphasis on research. Additionally, a DMSc takes one to three years, while a PhD can take up to eight years to complete.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a DMSc Degree?
A DMSc program will generally take between one to three years to complete, with the most common length being two years. Many DMSc programs are designed so a PA can continue to work concurrently. Additionally, there may be decelerated options available for PAs who want to complete their degree at a slower pace.
Which Schools Offer a DMSc Program?
Currently, there are eight different DMSc programs offered
, with seven out of the eight programs being completely online (all except for the DMS program at Lincoln Memorial University).
The eight schools that have a DMSc program are:
- A.T. Still University
(DMSc) - Butler University (DMSc)
- Lincoln Memorial University (DMS)
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) [DScPAS]
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) [DMSc]
- Southern Illinois University (DMSc)
- Touro University (DPA)
- University of Lynchburg (DMSc)
What Are the Admissions Requirements for Applying to a DMSc Program?
Any physician assistant who has completed an ARC-PA accredited PA program and has NCCPA certification (PA-C designation) is eligible to apply to DMSc programs. Keep in mind that some programs may require active state licensure as an admissions requirement.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a DMSc Degree?
DMSc programs typically cost between $20,000 to $35,000.
Are Physician Assistants with DMSc Degrees Called Doctors?
A physician assistant with a DMSc is technically a doctor, as the term “doctor” is used to refer to someone with a doctorate degree (similar to having a PhD). However, it should be noted that a PA with a DMSc degree is not a medical doctor so caution should be used with the term.
It’s important to be responsible with titles, especially around patients who expect “doctor” to refer to their medical doctor. When it comes to care, patients should know that while you have a doctorate degree, your role is the physician assistant, first and foremost.
Is Getting a DMSc Degree Worth It?
If you’re a practicing PA whose main goal is to see and treat patients, then you don’t necessarily need to pursue a DMSc degree. However, if you’re looking to expand your role and impact the future of healthcare, then you should consider getting a DMSc.
- Greater Opportunities & Impact
A DMSc offers career growth. As we discussed earlier, PAs can choose to delve deeper into clinical practice or branch out into other roles of influence in the industry with a DMSc. Some of these jobs include management, administration, and teaching. Most importantly, this degree opens up opportunities historically difficult for PAs to break into (roles typically reserved for MDs, PharmDs, or PhDs) and gives PAs a means to effect lasting change.
By offering a higher standard of care and improving healthcare on a larger scale, PAs can become true professional leaders in modern healthcare. The PA profession was originally created as a solution to the physician shortage issue and to bridge the gap between doctors and nurses. With a DMSc, PAs can better fill in gaps in healthcare and help create a more cohesive healthcare system.
- Higher Compensation
Having a DMSc degree also allows physician assistants to negotiate higher salaries. PAs with this doctorate degree have more negotiating power when it comes to asking for a raise. An informal survey showed that receiving a 10-20% raise is not uncommon. Another survey showed that PAs with a doctorate degree tend to have a higher average salary compared to their colleagues ($138K versus $135K and $124K for those with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). These statistics alone would make pursuing a DMSc worth it for many PAs.
The ability to negotiate for a higher salary is crucial for physician assistants specifically because significant salary increases are uncommon in the PA profession. Doctors, for instance, have the ability to earn significantly more over time due to factors such as specialization and experience. PAs, unfortunately, don’t have this luxury. Even with time and experience, the salary of a PA stays relatively constant.
Important note: A DMSc is a much faster way for a physician assistant to earn a doctorate degree compared with a PhD in a related field. A PhD often takes up to eight years, while a DMSc takes between one and three years to complete. Even accounting for the amount of time it takes to finish PA school (two to three years), getting a doctorate via the DMSc route still takes a significantly less amount of time.
- Competitive Edge
Having a DMSc makes you stand out amongst your peers. A doctorate is the highest academic degree you can achieve and indicates that you have advanced knowledge and experience in your field. This is highly valued by employers, and it makes you a more qualified applicant. Thus, a DMSc degree makes you more competitive for higher positions.
It’s also important to consider the future of the profession. The PA field is growing rapidly and is expected to have 31.3% growth over the next ten years. It’s reasonable to infer from these trends that differentiating factors between PAs will become increasingly important over the next decades. There are already measures to distinguish qualified PAs (e.g. CAQs), and having a DMSc may become one sooner than later.
- Leadership, Respect & Advocacy
Earning a DMSc means you’ll have a doctorate degree, which is a big deal! Having a DMSc can raise a PA from a mid-level healthcare provider to an advanced medical professional because of the expertise that comes with earning a doctorate. With more PAs in leadership positions, there will be greater PA representation and advocacy in an industry traditionally run by doctors, administrators, and organizations. This not only helps to advance the PA profession but also allows PAs to become advocates and spokespeople for meaningful change.
A doctorate degree is also beneficial in some other ways. For starters, you can feel like you have a degree that truly reflects all of your hard work and competence in the medical field. Additionally, not only does earning a DMSc increases your knowledge and skills, but it also boosts your confidence as a provider, which translates to higher quality work. Finally, more PAs earning doctorate degrees will mark a shift in identity for PAs, where PAs will be viewed with greater respect; work environments will become more of a collaborative space with interprofessional teamwork, where all providers share the goal of increasing patient access to quality, equitable healthcare.
Food for Thought: Future Implications of a DMSc Degree
At this point in time, earning a DMSc degree may seem like a “bonus” but not necessarily something that every PA must do. However, there is a chance that the importance of having a DMSc will greatly increase in the future. As we discussed briefly, the PA profession is one of the fastest growing fields out there, and more metrics will inevitably be used to distinguish between PAs and excellent PAs. Ultimately, a DMSc may become one of those metrics.
Currently, physician assistants are not allowed to practice medicine independently, as there must be a supervising doctor. However, considering the fact that nurse practitioners (NPs) are able to practice independently and that a DMSc can help expand a PA’s scope of practice in many cases, it seems reasonable – as awareness about this field increases – to expect that PAs may one day be able to practice medicine independently. There has been great pushback from the AAMC and some doctors regarding this subject, but a DMSc degree could potentially allow PAs to have more autonomy in clinical practice in the future, especially with increasing healthcare needs.
Getting a DMSc will likely give PAs a better shot at potentially practicing independently in the future, as restrictions inevitably change with the times. It’s understandable why there is a lot of controversy when it comes to the topic of allowing NPs and PAs to practice independently. Doctors go through the most training out of all healthcare providers, and giving more autonomy to other practitioners may be seen as potentially opening doors to lower quality patient care.
However, this is not the case because we are already at a healthcare deficit, as there aren’t enough doctors to meet patient needs. The fact of the matter is that healthcare needs are increasing, but the availability of doctors and opportunities to become one are inappropriately stagnant. The projected growth rate for physicians (3%) cannot keep up with our growing population, effectively resulting in a bottleneck. Simply put, leaving tasks traditionally completed by doctors exclusively to doctors is unsustainable.
While the expertise and quality of care by PAs should be monitored, particularly in high-risk specialties, it’s important to remember that PAs undergo rigorous medical training and are qualified medical professionals. The healthcare industry needs to start moving towards a more balanced practice model and increase PA collaboration sooner rather than later. One way to do this is for PAs to earn a DMSc degree. PA curriculums follow those of medical schools, and DMSc degrees are comparable to DHSc degrees. This gives PAs a doctorate degree in healthcare studies and the advanced knowledge and skills to help meet the demands of a modern healthcare system.
Conclusion
Getting a DMSc degree is not in the cards for every physician assistant. However, it can be extremely helpful to PAs looking to reach the next milestone in their career. DMSc degrees enable PAs to change the face of healthcare through advanced clinical practice, education, administration. The nature of the PA profession already helps make healthcare more efficient and equitable, and earning a DMSc allows PAs to do this on an even larger scale. Ultimately, a DMSc gives PAs an expanded knowledge base and skillset, enabling them to further their careers, become advocates for the PA profession, and shape the future of healthcare.
Fantastic job on making it to the end! Hopefully, this article answered any questions that you had about getting a DMSc degree. Be sure to check out my other articles on the physician assistant profession, where I go over what a physician assistant is and whether the PA route is the best career path for you! See you in my next article. Stay healthy and keep learning. 🙂
FAQs
Is a PA with DMSc a Doctor? ›
A Doctorate for Physician Assistants
The Doctor of Medical Science degree is a clinical doctorate degree designed specifically for the physician assistant. The DMSc degree is designed for practicing clinicians who strive to improve the healthcare system and positively impact patient care delivery.
The Phased Model can be completed over 20 months with 5 semesters. The Integrated Model can be done in as little as 16 months over 4 semesters. Both models allows you to continue working while completing this degree.
What are the benefits of a DMSc degree? ›The greatest benefit of a DMSc degree is that it can open doors to leadership roles previously less attainable for non-physicians. If your current career offers few options for advancement, earning a doctoral degree is a good way to take what you already know and use it to expand upon your skills.
What can PAs do with doctorate degree? ›Some career paths for this degree can lead to positions as a PA in a rural or suburban health clinic environment or family medicine, an advanced practitioner hospitalist or a department chair for a clinical academic area.
What do you call a PA with a doctorate degree? ›Today, we will explore another facet of higher education available to the physician assistant, the physician assistant PhD aka the physician assistant doctorate.
What separates a PA from a doctor? ›The key difference between medical training of a doctor and physician assistant is time. Typically, doctors complete four years of medical school, followed by an internship and residency. PAs, on the other hand, complete their training in two years.
What is the hardest doctor degree to get? ›1. Boarded Medical Doctor: After spending about eight years to earn your first degree, you are faced with between three and six years of residency. This is the most competitive field in education which means you must have passed through a very rigorous process to earn this certificate.
Is a doctorate 2 or 4 years? ›On average, a Ph. D. may take up to eight years to complete. A doctorate degree typically takes four to six years to complete—however, this timing depends on the program design, the subject area you're studying, and the institution offering the program.
What is the fastest doctorate degree? ›- Doctorate in Behavioral Health. ...
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision. ...
- Doctorate Ethereal Degree in Grief Counseling. ...
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy. ...
- Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy. ...
- Doctor of Nursing Practice. ...
- Doctorate in Social Work.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $322,500 | $26,875 |
| 75th Percentile | $171,000 | $14,250 |
| Average | $141,097 | $11,758 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,500 | $6,708 |
What is the difference between a doctorate and a Doctor of Medicine? ›
MDs are medical doctors who treat patients, whereas PhDs are researchers who specialize in a particular field of study.
What does DMS mean for a Doctor? ›**Diagnostic Medical Sonography Concentration (DMS)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a medical imaging modality that uses high frequency sound waves to create dynamic and diagnostic images of organs, tissues, and blood flow within the body. Sonographers play an integral role in patient care and the diagnostic process.
The best Physician Assistant jobs can pay up to $400,000 per year. Physician Assistants, or PAs, work in hospitals and medical practices in routine and emergency situations. The duties of a Physician Assistant vary from obtaining patient histories to performing medical procedures and assisting in surgical operations.
Why would a PA get a doctorate? ›Benefits of a Doctor Degree of Physician Assistant Degree
That includes the impact they can make on their profession. The level of research expertise developed in a doctorate program allows graduates to apply those skills to solving difficult issues in the profession.
To transition from PA to MD, you'll need to apply to medical schools, attend an MD program, and complete residency training.
Is PA school a masters or PhD? ›For the PA profession, a master's degree is the terminal degree. In academia, however, the doctorate is the degree of currency.
What is the difference between DNP and PA? ›From the beginning of their graduate studies, PAs typically specializing in a particular area of medicine such as internal or emergency medicine, while DNPs often choose a specific population as their primary specialty of study such as women's health, geriatrics, and pediatrics.
Is a PA lower than a nurse? ›Because PAs require more education and training, they tend to have more job opportunities and salaries tend to be higher for them. On average, registered nurses enjoy a median annual salary of $75,330, compared to $115,390 for physician assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Is a PA higher than a doctor? ›A PA is an advanced practice professional (APP) that provides the same quality of care as an MD. What's different is the level of education between the two medical certifications. PAs condense much of the same medical school training that doctors receive in a shorter window of time.
Is a PA higher than a NP? ›Is a PA higher than a nurse practitioner? A physician assistant doesn't have a higher ranking than a nurse practitioner. Both medical professionals work in healthcare settings, but they have different qualifications, educational backgrounds and specialties.
What is the smartest Doctor specialty? ›
When society generally thinks of doctors, they are thinking of internists. They are often the smartest and most well- rounded physicians due to the breadth of knowledge they (along with family medicine physicians) often carry.
What is the easiest medical doctorate degree to get? ›- Family Medicine. Average Step 1 Score: 216.1. ...
- Psychiatry. Average Step 1 Score: 223.1. ...
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Average Step 1 Score: 224.2. ...
- Pediatrics. Average Step 1 Score: 226.4. ...
- Internal Medicine (Categorical) Average Step 1 Score: 231.4. ...
- Anesthesiology.
A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor.
Which is harder PhD or doctorate? ›A doctorate degree is not easier than a PhD. They're different and both take hard work. It would be best to research the area of study you are pursuing. A PhD demands years of original research, while a doctorate degree looks at an existing body of knowledge and looks into theories created by this knowledge.
How old is a doctoral student? ›Doctoral students refers to all individuals pursuing a degree at doctoral level irrespective of their legal status in their country (student or employee). Doctorate holders refers to the adult population between 25-64 years of age with a doctorate degree.
What's better than a doctorate? ›Master's degrees are more versatile than doctoral degrees, and have a wide range of professional and academic applications. The most common master's degrees are Master's of Arts (M.A.) and Master's of Science (M.S.) .
Can I get a doctorate in 1 year? ›1-Year Doctoral Programs
There are only a few accelerated doctoral programs available, but they do exist. One such program is offered by Breyer State Theology University, which provides a one-year doctor of psychology program tailored to those interested in becoming grief counselors.
There are plenty of reputable, regionally accredited institutions taking their doctorates online. They are an easy way to earn a doctorate. While the program may require less face-time or physical presence on a campus, accredited programs are by no means a shortcut to earn your degree.
Who pays for a doctorate degree? ›PhD FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS. Prospective PhD candidates have an abundance of financial aid options to help fund their graduate studies. Typically, students are fully funded by a combination of sources, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or student loans.
Who gets paid more MD or PhD? ›| MD | MD PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Salary Range | $200,000 to $400,000 | $60,000 to $115,000 |
| Industry | Hospitals Clinic Medical Centers Private Practices | Academic Medical Centers Research Institutes Private Practices |
Is there a degree higher than a doctorate? ›
For the US, a PhD is regarded as the highest academic award. However, Habilitation degrees in a number of European countries, notably Germany (where it developed in the 17th century as synonymous with a doctorate), are considered higher than a PhD.
How do you address a person with a doctorate degree? ›D. When you are addressing a person with a doctoral degree, it is considered more polite to use the title Dr. or the academic abbreviation PhD with the person's name, instead of the simple courtesy titles Mr. or Ms. Note: Do not use both the title and the degree.
Should I say PhD or doctorate? ›A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a specific type of doctorate degree that focuses on research in a particular field. It is highly theoretical and involves extensive research to generate new knowledge. On the other hand, a doctorate degree is an umbrella term for any doctoral-level degree.
Is a doctorate higher than an MD? ›Both the MD and the PhD are advanced degrees, but they often represent very different subject areas. Individuals with MD degrees are medical doctors, while those with PhD degrees have expertise in one of many academic or medical subject areas.
Is DMS equal to PhD? ›A doctorate (PhD) is a higher degree in any field, usually in science. A DBA is a specialized doctorate in business administration/management, and a Doctor of Management (DM) is also a specialized degree but in management. Understanding these three degrees is essential to choosing the best one for your career goals!
Is DMS a medical degree? ›A Doctor of Medical Science degree is the clinical doctorate degree for PAs. Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) degrees are designed specifically for practicing PAs who want to take the next step in continuing to shape the future of healthcare.
What type of DR is a DM? ›D.M.: Doctor of Management
The Doctor of Management (D.M.) is typically acknowledged as an applied research degree within the study of management. The focus is on the application of management theories and learning how practical research can be used to identify or solve industry problems.
“How to determine an appropriate PA salary?” This is a question that many PAs ask and many doctors ask when hiring a new PA, or when renegotiating their current PA's contract. The answer is: it depends. The salary range is wide, $60,000-over $200,000. The annual revenue collected is wide: $350,000-over $1,000,000.
What is the lowest paid Physician Assistant? ›How Much Does a Physician Assistant Make? Physician Assistants made a median salary of $121,530 in 2021. The best-paid 25% made $131,740 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $99,880.
What is the lowest paying PA specialty? ›The PA specialty that pays the least is adolescent medicine. This PA specialty has a median annual salary of $90,588. Here are some other PA specialties that pay the least and their annual salary: Pediatrics: $92,194.
Is a PA still called doctor? ›
PAs are not doctors but they do hold an advanced practice medical certification. PAs are not “physician's assistants” -- they are Physician Assistants -- part of your care team. Physician Assistants are not "want-to-be" doctors.
Why I become a PA and not a physician? ›2. What are the advantages of choosing PA over MD? PAs typically spend less time and money on school and can switch specializations more easily than MDs. Most PAs begin practicing after 2 or 3 years of education and enjoy comfortable starting salaries.
Why is PA school better than MD? ›Physician Associates Have More Flexibility
Given that PA training is broad, PAs can opt to practice in different specialties whenever they wish. Doctors, on the other hand, go through specialty training in one field, which limits them to practicing in that particular field unless they retrain in a different specialty.
Yes, bridge programs are available for PAs who wish to become MDs. These bridge programs allow PAs to obtain the necessary education and training to become licensed medical doctors. By being aware of the additional requirements, you can be part of the best PA to MD bridge programs.
Is becoming a PA harder than a doctor? ›In summary, while both PA school and medical school have their own unique difficulties, the requirements of the MCAT, the time required to complete med school, and the intensity of most med school programs, indicates that PA is not harder than medical school.
Is physician assistant easier than doctor? ›Is Becoming a PA Easier Than an MD? While both are certainly not easy routes, physician assistants typically spend much less time in school (12 months to three years), while MDs must complete medical school and a residency (a minimum of seven years).
Why get a DMS for PA? ›DMS degrees are for PAs who want to expand their impact and advance their roles in the healthcare field. Many DMS degree programs are designed to provide practicing PAs with the advanced skills necessary for leading in their field through either practice or teaching.
Do physician assistants have Dr in their name? ›Do Physician assistants have the title Dr? No, they do not as they are not physicians. If they have a Doctoral degree then they can be called Dr. but PA's usually have at best a Masters Degree.
What is the DMSc PA program in Lynchburg? ›The Lynchburg DMSc offers PAs an intensive, clinical experience in their desired specialty, as well as education in executive leadership, health care law, global health, and application of research.
What is a D SC degree? ›The higher doctorate, “Doctor of Science,” also known as “D.Sc or Sc. D,” is a postdoctoral degree program that is awarded to an individual who has significantly contributed to the field of research and science.
Is being a PA easier than MD? ›
In the same year, the average GPA of accepted PA students was a 3.5 science and 3.6 overall. So if you were to only consider GPA, you could say PA programs are easier to get into than MD programs—but by an extremely slight margin.
Do most physician assistant programs award a Master's degree? ›Most programs are approximately 27 months (3 academic years) and award master's degrees. PA programs include both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
What do physician assistants put after their name? ›To promote uniformity of address in clinical and other settings, use PA as the honorific before the person's name, e.g., PA Pam Smith or PA Smith.
What rank is a physician assistant? ›If you are INTERNALLY Trained by the US Army you would be a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army upon completion of your training.
What is the difference between physician assistant and assistant physician? ›Physician assistants aren't owned by anyone, so there is no need for the apostrophe. The professional practitioner is a physician assistant, not the assistant of a physician.
How much debt do PA students graduate with? ›The average debt load of a Pennsylvania college graduate in 2019-20 was $39,375. Thirty-nine percent of Pennsylvania college graduates' student loan debt was nonfederal debt that is often costlier and carries fewer consumer protection than federal debt.
Is PA school a masters or Phd? ›For the PA profession, a master's degree is the terminal degree. In academia, however, the doctorate is the degree of currency.
How much debt is the average PA program? ›The report also found the median student loan debt for physician assistants is $112,500. Whenever student loan debt tends to be higher than salaries, any student loan forgiveness or repayment program can help. In this guide, we'll cover physician assistant loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
Is a DDS the same as a doctorate degree? ›A doctorate in dentistry is the highest general dental degree in the U.S. Dentistry schools award either a doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) or a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) to graduates.
Is a DSc better than a PhD? ›The academic research ScD (or DSc) is considered by both the United States Department of Education and the National Science Foundation to be equivalent to the more commonly awarded PhD and not higher than a PhD as is the case in some European countries.
Is DDS higher than PhD? ›
'Higher,”? No. They are all doctoral level degrees, but different.